‘Late Mr Ibu didn’t do well, his family is ruined’ – Rita Edochie

Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has criticised the late comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, over the family crisis that followed his death.

In a post on her Instagram page, Edochie said the ongoing public dispute among members of Mr Ibu’s family was another painful reminder of the dangers of polygamy.

According to her, no matter how people try to defend or sugarcoat polygamy, it has continued to create rivalry, bitterness, divided loyalty and inheritance disputes in many families.

She said the late actor “did not do well,” adding that the situation in his family should serve as a warning to people in polygamous homes or those planning to enter such marriages.

“Polygamy has done more harm than good, not just in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. We must call a spade a spade. Late Mr Ibu did not do well at all,” she wrote.

Edochie said she had continued to see reasons to detest polygamy, describing it as one of the greatest marital mistakes that has affected peace and unity in many homes.

“No matter how we try to sugarcoat polygamy or paint it as a cultural success story, it still does not change the fact that it has been one of the greatest marital errors that have jeopardised the peace, unity and harmony of countless families,” she added.

The actress said the most painful part of polygamy often emerges after the death of the man, when surviving family members begin to fight over property, inheritance and control.

She said the controversy surrounding Mr Ibu’s family was heartbreaking, especially as some of the disagreements had now become public.

“The situation currently playing out in Mr Ibu’s family has become another painful reminder of how difficult such family structures can become.

“The public disagreements among members of his family over property and other issues are heartbreaking to watch.

“While every family has its own unique circumstances, this should serve as a serious warning to those who are currently in polygamous homes or are planning to build one tomorrow,” she said.

Edochie warned that what many people see happening in another family today could easily become their own reality tomorrow.

She argued that even monogamy, involving one man and one wife, is difficult enough to manage, saying adding more spouses only increases the chances of conflict.

Her comment comes amid fresh controversy involving Mr Ibu’s widow, Stella Maris Okafor, and some members of the late actor’s family.

Stella and her children recently spoke with influencer King Mitchy, where they lamented their condition after the actor’s death.

She claimed that she had been unable to pay rent, adding that their electricity had been disconnected for months and that they now fetch water from a well.

However, one of Mr Ibu’s sons accused Stella of taking control of the late actor’s properties and selling some of them.

He alleged that she sold one of Mr Ibu’s houses in Lagos for N60 million, another Lagos property for over N17 million, and a property in Asaba for N11 million.

He also claimed that she mismanaged more than N66 million donated by members of the public during Mr Ibu’s illness.

Mr Ibu’s alleged first wife also accused Stella of selling a house in Enugu after the actor’s death and claimed that money realised after his burial was mismanaged.

Stella has denied the allegations.

In a follow-up interview with King Mitchy, she said she consulted Mr Ibu’s other children before selling a property in the village.

She maintained that proceeds from the sale were used to pay for the late actor’s funeral.

Stella also claimed that throughout her marriage to Mr Ibu, the actor never told her that he had been previously married or that he had children with other women.